Podcast: Full Focus Tech Driving with Roberto Sicconi
Full Focus Tech Drivingwith Roberto Sicconi
How technology can keep our busy minds focused, and ourselves safe, while driving
We live in the era of distractions, and truth be told, our attention spans have shrunk in the past few decades, so staying vigilant and focused while doing some things – such as driving, for example – is becoming a bit difficult. But of course, tech giveth, and now we have a way to ensure that our short attention span and weak focus are not a nuisance or a hazard in traffic. One such company is ‘dreyev’ and our TC Gill sat down with the company’s co-founder and CTO, Roberto Sicconi to learn more about the problem dreyev solves in the market, his own journey in the world of technology, and how he roles as a leader.
“Small teams, and small companies are the grassroots of innovation – if the teams are attuned to the idea, to the mentality, and are aware of what needs to be done, there’s no stopping them.“
– Roberto Sicconi –
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How bridging existing tech can help elevate tech-in-development
- Why decisions have more profound impact if they’re quickly implemented
- Why dreaming big is important when diving into innovation and technology
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
Introducing the guest Roberto Sicconi
The problem that ‘dreyev’ is solving?
How is this better than fully automated self-driving cars?
How do you test it?
In which other areas this tech is likely to be used?
Tips for creating high performing teams?
Advice to all the aspiring tech leaders
TC’s key takeaways from the podcast
Podcast: Teching up Insurance into a Social Good with Ori Erez
Teching up Insurance into a Social Goodwith Ori Erez
We're leveraging technology and social impact to build an insurance company and experience that customers love
People often talk about how some industries will never get fully teched-up due to the “human element” and the limitations that come with technology, and they might be right – but they were wrong about insurance. Just take a look at Lemonade – an insurance company redefining what it means to be in the business. To learn more about how this company works, and the tech-dealings behind the scenes, we got Ori Erez, their Director of Engineering, who sat down with us to talk in depth about Lemonade, his own tech journey – from young age to present day, and dive deeper into the issues of the industry and how he roles as a leader!
“If you are enjoying what you’re doing, there is a good chance you will do a great job. If you are not enjoying maybe, it’s time for change.“
– Ori Erez –
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How allowing your business to grow without drowning it into processes and structures can help your teams stay more creative and flexible
- Why sometimes evidence works better than providing comfort
- How hiring carefully can help you passively attract the talent you’re after
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
Introducing the guest Ori Erez
The problem that Lemonade is solving?
Using ML and bots for customer support
What is Ori passionate about?
Ori’s leadership style and learnings
What hasn’t worked in the past?
Process, Process, Process
Advice to all the aspiring tech leaders
TC’s key takeaways from the podcast
Podcast: Digitalizing the UAM Ecosystem with Alexander Oelling
Digitalizing the UAM Ecosystemwith Alexander Oelling
Making the first steps in the world of flying taxis
Technology, and specifically IT technology has helped turn dreams that every human being has had at least once – to fly, to dive deep, to be able to reach other people – and now, at the forefront of it all, are people like Alexander Oelling, CDO (Chief Digital Officer) at Volocopter, who are at the forefront and pioneering in the world of UAM – urban air mobility – in which vehicles like their Volocopter give us a glimpse into a future filled with flying taxis, but allowing us to enjoy it in the here and now. Our TC Gill sat down with Alexander to talk about his tech journey, his leadership style, and his advice worth in gold for techies and aspiring tech leaders.
“Build your teams and your connections as you would your friends, treat them fairly, and you’ll have a core which will always work based on result, not on time.“
– Alexander Oelling –
From engineering all the way to leadership struggles, Alexander guided us through his amazing journey with amazing ease, and we’re sure the same will go for you once you click play.
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How ensuring a product is ready is all about safety and security
- Why creating teams, the proper way will always deliver
- How time is not a real obstacle when it comes to entering the world of technology and IT
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
Introducing the guest Alexander Oelling
What was Alexander’s first computer?
What is the problem that Velocopter is solving?
Roadblocks that had to be put in place
Alexander’s leadership style
Clear communication among the team
The challenges of remote working
Tips on growth of organizations
TC’s key takeaways from the podcast
Podcast: Bringing Blockchain and Business Closer Together with Lloyd Moore
Bringing Blockchain and Business Closer Togetherwith Lloyd Moore
How improving day to day operations helps businesses deliver better products and services
Blockdaemon is all about blockchain nodes – the plumbing behind all blockchain operations. What was once a complex procedure to launch is now a piece of cake. Businesses can now dip their toes in the world of blockchain, and Blockdaemon is here to empower them. TC sat down with Blockdaemon’s VP of Engineering, Lloyd Moore to talk about his journey in the tech world, his leadership style, and of course – more about Blockdaemon.
“You’re not the only one that’s thinking that you’re not great at this or even good, or even worthy. You will be surprised just how far you can go – if you just take the first step.“
– Lloyd Moore –
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How creating a simpler blockchain infrastructure can help improve business usage
- Why getting bigger is not about going slow – it’s about delegating
- How trust is the one thing that underpins leadership and the decisions we make
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
Introducing the guest Lloyd Moore
What’s the problem that Blockdaemon is solving on the market?
What are common engineering challenges in this space?
The art of delegation
What drives Lloyd?
Business agility
Advice to aspiring tech leaders
Lloyd’s favorite book of guidance
TC’s key takeaways from the podcast
Podcast: Boosting Efficiency with Proper Management with Michael Okwusogu
Boosting Efficiency with Proper Managementwith Michael Okwusogu
How improving day to day operations helps businesses deliver better products and services
Sometimes tech leaders don’t have the technical expertise or knowledge as you’d expect, but they have the business acumen and understand technology, and do what all tech leaders should – be catalysts for other to succeed and enable them to be better, day in, day out. Michael Okwusogu, Founder and CEO at Value X Partners is one such tech leader. Starting out in the investment banking sector, he’s been involved in technology from day one, and has only gone deeper ever since. He sat down with our TC Gill to talk leadership, what drives him, and spill the beans on his experience throughout the ages.
“As complex as team management is, root your approach in simple and basic concepts. For example, treat others as you’d like to be treated – a simple quote that is clear enough, yet it allows you to be flexible in your leaderhip style.“
– Michael Okwusogu –
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How communication is all about comprehension, and not just exchange of information
- Why bringing external partners onto projects needs to be justified and very clear
- Why data should give you insights, rather than just indicators
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
Introducing the guest Michele Nati
Merging three passions to fill a gap
What’s Michele’s passion?
Michele’s leadership style
Tricks for creating high performing teams
Any engineering challenges?
Michele’s wishes for the tech genie
Michele’s one key takeaway for aspiring tech leaders
TC’s key takeaways from the podcast
When IoT met Blockchain with Michele Nati
In the world of tech, the things you can do for research, for development, for creation – are simply limitless. And Michele Nati, Head of Telco and Infrastructure Development at IOTA Foundation, is working on the things that are right up there with some of the most exciting tech, IoT and blockchain. Our TC Gill sat down with him for a chat to learn more about Michele’s journey, his leadership style, and what keeps him up at night.
“The key to making it in tech is all about keeping an open mind. That’s the only way you can keep up with the crazy innovation and progress that’s been made week in, week out..”
– Michele Nati –
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How flatness in company structure opens dialogue and enables alignment
- The importance of “minimum viable ecosystems”
- Why work-life balance is important for long-term success
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
Introducing the guest Michele Nati
Merging three passions to fill a gap
What’s Michele’s passion?
Michele’s leadership style
Tricks for creating high performing teams
Any engineering challenges?
Michele’s wishes for the tech genie
Michele’s one key takeaway for aspiring tech leaders
TC’s key takeaways from the podcast
Setting up Shops That Connect Businesses and People with Jayant Chaudhary
Setting up Shops That Connect Businesses and Peoplewith Jayant Chaudhary
How a human-centric tech leader with a penchant for literature and writing gets the job done
A software engineer by training, but a tech leader by making, Jayant Chaudhary, CTO at Eproxim, threaded a path that is as interesting and amazing as you’d expect from someone who first planned on studying literature and history. But he didn’t, and what the world of literature may have lost, the world of IT has gained. With more than 30 years of experience in the world of IT, there was loads that Jayant talked about when he sat down with our TC Gill – from his beginnings, through his current job, all the way to what has and hasn’t worked for him as a leader.
“Fear will always prevent you from performing, from being your best. If it’s not a death or life situation, take it with a pinch of salt.
– Jayant Chaudhary –
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How facing fears and putting them into perspective can get you performing at your best
- Why transparency is a huge enabler
- How focusing your work on helping people will pave your way to success
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
Introducing the guest
Jayant's journey to becoming a tech leader
The history behind eProxim
What keeps Jayant motivated?
Mistakes made and lessons learned as a leader
Tips for aspiring tech leaders
Jayan's wishes for the tech genie
TC's takeaways from the podcast
Building a Circular Economy by Reversing Tech Waste with Andrew Gomarsall
Podcast – Episode 99:
Building a Circular Economy by Reversing Tech Waste
How one company is doing its bit in supplying green solutions
We’ve all seen techies turn into tech leaders, but professional sports players? Now, there’s a story right there, and Andrew Gomarsall, Executive Chairman at N2S, is here to tell it. From making his first steps on the rugby fields, all the way to what he does now, Andrew’s story as a pro athlete turned eco warrior is one that will show athletes and aspiring techies that there’s always a way, and that when it comes to leadership, business and sports have a lot in common!
“Standards and ticking boxes is important, but try not to see them as benchmarks – they’re just milestones for doing the bare minimum, day in, day out. Ticking boxes and not going the extra mile is not the way of growth and progress.“
Key Takeaways from the podcast are:
- New problems can be solved with existing solutions, one just has to look;
- Why are circular economies the future
- Threading the path less taken is all about values, character, and doing it the right way
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.
1. Introducing the podcast and the guest
2. What is Ali's passion
3. The mistakes he learned from
4. Ali's way of creating high-performing teams
5. His advice to all aspiring leaders
Transform your technology organization with IT Labs teams.
Reach out to us.
Podcast: Diversifying Through Tech and Leadership with Eric Harrison
Podcast – Episode 98:
Diversifying Through Tech and Leadership
Providing companies with platforms that help them introduce and sell new products
Tech leaders are not just people who know how to lead. They’re people with an affinity for technology who enjoy helping others reach their goals, guiding them through projects and through their own professional journeys. And one such leader is Eric Harrison, Director of Engineering at Marketplacer, who sat down with our TC Gill to talk about his journey to becoming a tech leader, his leadership techniques, how well-being plays a role in success, and what can be done about it.
“As a leader, sharing your vision is the one, crucial thing that will either get your team behind you, or push them away from you. It’s what creates alignment and gives purpose – use it wisely.“
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How the sense of belonging in teams can spur them to perform better
- Why the concepts and procedures that you put in place are only important if they work for your team
- How breaking down concepts and projects in smaller bits can help better delivery and better performance
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.
1. Introducing the podcast and the guest
2. What is Ali's passion
3. The mistakes he learned from
4. Ali's way of creating high-performing teams
5. His advice to all aspiring leaders
Transform your technology organization with IT Labs teams.
Reach out to us.
Podcast: Stories from the Amazonian Tribe with Charles Griffith Part 2
Podcast – Stories from the Amazonian Tribe: Lifting the veil on how some of the best ideas in Amazon got developed
with Kristin Toth
The second story in our Amazonian Tribe series is here! For this one, we have Kristin Toth , currently the President & COO at Fernish. But we’re here now to talk about her close to 8 years with Amazon, during which time she had a hand in delivering some of the flagship services which have made the company what it is today. From joining the company in its formative years, all the way to its meteoric rise, the insight Kristin has in the how’s and why’s of Amazon are pure gold!
Key takeaways from the podcast:
- How to be an organizational “athlete” and make things happen
- Why measuring success is important, and can spur you to do better
- How going back to your own type of drawing board can help you recalibrate, and refocus
TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)
We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.
1. Introducing the podcast and the guest
2. What is Ali's passion
3. The mistakes he learned from
4. Ali's way of creating high-performing teams
5. His advice to all aspiring leaders